Liverpool "are now negotiating" to sign £50million midfielder after Barcelona beat them to future superstar's signature

Liverpool have given up on trying to sign Gavi from Barcelona as the 17-year-old is set to sign a contract renewal which includes a €1Billion release clause.

With Gavi no longer an option, Liverpool have reportedly already switched their attention to Leeds United's Kalvin Philipps.

Jurgen Klopp wants to bolster his midfield ranks and has failed with his first two targets after Aurelien Tchouameni and Gavi decided to sign for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Despite agreeing personal terms with Liverpool, it emerged that the 22-year-old had also accepted an offer from Madrid before he decided to join the La Liga giants.

I'm more disappointed that Liverpool won't be signing Gavi than I am about Tchouameni.

The former is only 17 and has shone brightly this season and if he isn't overplayed by Spain the way his teammate and fellow teenager, Pedri, was, he should continue getting better and better.

According to the online version of SPORT, Gavi is set to sign a new contract with Barcelona after finally receiving a formal proposal from the Blaugrana last week.

The report states that the "soap opera is about to come to an end while Liverpool "already considers Gavi lost."

Liverpool were reportedly ready to pay the €50million required to trigger his current "termination" clause but will not have the opportunity to sign him any time soon.

This is because his new deal includes a €1Billion release clause.

After missing out on Gavi, Liverpool have turned their attention elsewhere, and "are now negotiating for Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips.

His contract with the Whites expires in 2024 and while he would have been a lot cheaper had Leeds been relegated, remaining in the Premier League ensures they're able to demand a huge fee.

Manchester United have held a long-term interest in Phillips and recently began "exploring, via intermediaries, the prospect of a transfer worth £50million," according to the Athletic.